ST. LOUIS (AP) - The longtime recorder of deeds in St. Louis resigned on Friday amid a nepotism investigation.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch (http://bit.ly/1sHFKQH) reports that Sharon Quigley Carpenter's decision to step down essentially quashes the inquiry by Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce.
Her opponent in the Aug. 5 Democratic primary, Ed McFowland, says Carpenter hired her great-nephew to work summers from 2010 to 2012. He also accuses Carpenter of hiring the son of her chief deputy to perform $100,000 in office renovations.
Carpenter said she hired those relatives but misinterpreted the nepotism statute and still plans to campaign for re-election.
Missouri law states that any public office holder employing a relative within four degrees should forfeit office. The Missouri Ethics Commission considers a great nephew a fourth-degree relative.